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Michigan State Football: Highlighting 4 quotes from Mel Tucker at media day

By Scott Tolonen

Jul 26, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mel Tucker speaks to the media during the Big 10 football media day at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 26, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mel Tucker speaks to the media during the Big 10 football media day at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports /
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EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 02: Angelo Grose #15, Darius Snow #23 and Xavier Henderson #3 of the Michigan State Spartans break up a Western Michigan pass in the first half at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2022 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Jaime Crawford/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 02: Angelo Grose #15, Darius Snow #23 and Xavier Henderson #3 of the Michigan State Spartans break up a Western Michigan pass in the first half at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2022 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Jaime Crawford/Getty Images) /

Quote on the defensive backs

“That’s why I hired Jimmy Salgado. We’re athletic, we’re young, we’re bigger, we’re longer, we’re recruiting well. We brought in a lot of players at those positions and we upgraded the front seven, and signed quite a few pass rushers and we’ve developed some pass rushers so that’s gonna help. I mean, rush and coverage work together so we have to play really good on defense to win games this year.”

Tucker is addressing the fact that the pass defense couldn’t get worse going from 2021 to 2022. While technically it got better, the pass defense is still second-worst in the Big Ten.

Tucker mentioned new defensive backs coach Jimmy Salgado a few times in his press conference and looks to help the weakest unit of the defense.

I do like the emphasis on rushing the passer, too, since that can force bad throws and lead to more interceptions. The Spartans have to play against two top 10 passing teams this year in Washington and Ohio State and both teams cooked the Spartans secondary early and often in 2022.

If Michigan State wants to return to competing for championships like Tucker mentioned, it starts with cleaning up the weaknesses on this team.

Next. 3 freshmen who could start for MSU football in 2023. dark

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